Want to help protect some of the most threatened species on the planet? Keen to mentor and build the capacity of others? If so, this could be the job for you.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, passionate person to drive forward species recovery efforts for RSPB’s priority globally threatened species, primarily across Asia and Africa.

About the role

Through effective capacity building within our partner organisations, you will help to facilitate the sustainability of some of RSPB’s long-term species recovery projects and programmes, develop new work areas and play a key role in supporting the wider work of RSPB’s Global Species Recovery team.

As a natural communicator and problem-solver, you will find the challenge of working at pace on several multi-partner species recovery projects simultaneously an exciting and rewarding role. 

This new position within RSPB’s Global Species Recovery team will facilitate responsible and sustainable legacies for some of RSPBs’ existing long-term species recovery work in Asia and Africa through building capacity, capability and ownership within BirdLife International and other partner organisations.

The role will also lead on developing new work areas and will support the wider work of RSPB’s Global Species Recovery team. Ranging from capacity building to strategic planning to project/programme implementation, the successful candidate will have a varied and rewarding work programme.

A key part of the role will be to support the Head of Vulture Programme and the BirdLife Partner in India to facilitate the effective transition of ownership and management of the Saving Asian Vultures from Extinction (SAVE) programme; such as through supporting the development and implementation of effective fundraising and advocacy strategies. It is anticipated that the successful candidate would regularly travel to South Asia and would spend several months based in India over the first year (subject to Covid-19 pandemic conditions on international travel).

The successful candidate will also provide UK-based support to the RSPB team and external partners with advancing the globally threatened species programme through implementing species recovery efforts and responsible sustainable legacies for other priority globally threatened species around the world, including the UK.

Specifically, the successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Developing and implementing a sustainable legacy plan for RSPB’s role within the Saving Asian Vultures from Extinction (SAVE) programme
• Working closely with, develop relations, and assure capacity of SAVE Partners primarily in India, but also Nepal and Bangladesh.
• Supporting the BirdLife Partner in Kenya with scaling-up forest restoration efforts to protect the endemic birds of the Taita Hills.
• Supporting RSPB’s Globally Threatened Species Programme with implementing sustainable legacy plans for Spoon-billed sandpiper, Liben lark, Sociable lapwing and Egyptian vulture.
• Contribute to the development of future direction and ambitions of the Globally Threatened Species Programme over the next strategy period (2021-2030).
• Supporting the wider work of RSPB’s Global Species Recovery team including development of volunteer networks dedicated to ongoing species recovery efforts.
• Facilitating cross-team working to achieve our species recovery ambitions.

What we need from you 

• Detailed knowledge of international conservation issues and the main theoretical and practical approaches to species recovery.
• Sound understanding of and proven track record with leading or facilitating strategic planning, fund-raising and implementing projects.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills to ensure mutual understanding of objectives.
• Strong relationship and partnership building skills to enable work with a wide range of stakeholders nationally and internationally.
• Cultural literacy and sensitivity to ensure mutually respectful working relations with a wide range of stakeholders, nationally and internationally.
• Diplomacy and negotiation skills to negotiate contracts, solve problems and avoid and overcome conflict.
• Financial management to oversee project budgeting and expenditure.
• Experience of overseas work, preferably with experience of working in Asia and/or Africa.
• Proven track record of managing large projects/programmes involving multiple stakeholders, including NGOs and government agencies.
• Experience of people management to achieve a common goal.
• Willingness to work overseas for extended periods of time.

It is expected that the successful candidate will regularly travel to India and elsewhere overseas when it is deemed safe to do so. Currently, it is not possible to travel overseas unless classed as essential travel given the current travel restrictions in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic. RSPB are continually reviewing the UK Government guidance and updating our policies appropriately.

In order to apply for this role you will need to have the right to work in the UK.

For application/role enquiries please contact - Sarah.Havery@rspb.org.uk

Please note that this role will require you to complete an online application form only. For more information about this role please view additional information document on the advert.